"Missing Man Table & Honors Ceremony"Moderator:As you entered the dining area, you may have noticed a table at the front, raised to call yourattention to its purpose -- it is reserved to honor our missing loved ones [or missing comradesin arms, for veterans].Set for six, the empty places represent Americans still [our men] missing from each of the fiveservices -- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard – and civilians. This HonorsCeremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit.Some [here] in this room were very young when they were sent into combat; however, allAmericans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [toserve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way.I would like to ask you to stand, and remain standing for a moment of silent prayer, as theHonor Guard places the five service covers and a civilian cap on each empty plate.Honor Guard: (In silence or with dignified, quiet music as background, the Honor Guard movesinto position around the table and simultaneously places the covers of the Army, Navy, MarineCorps, Air Force and Coast Guard, and a civilian hat, on the dinner plate at each table setting.The Honor Guard then departs.)Moderator:Please be seated ....... I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table.The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call toduty.The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, andthe[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for ourmissing.A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured andmissing in a foreign land.A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seekanswers.The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country,founded as one nation under God.The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning’s/day’s]toast.The chairs are empty -- they are missing.Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America's POW/MIAs and to the successof our efforts to account for them.

For those that returned under the banner that they served to their last.....

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he wait after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as above.

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.

The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.

Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.

All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can

be afforded to a serviceperson.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and Keep Them

I don't usually suggest that many Facebook posts be forwarded, but I'd be very proud if this one reached as many people as possible.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few. On fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead.

No rumor of the foe's advance Now swells upon the wind; No troubled thought at midnight haunts Of loved ones left behind; No vision of the morrow's strife The warrior's dream alarms; No braying horn, nor screaming fife, At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust, Their plumèd heads are bowed; Their haughty banner, trailed in dust, Is now their martial shroud. And plenteous funeral tears have washed The red stains from each brow, And the proud forms, by battle gashed, Are free from anguish now.

The neighing troop, the flashing blade, The bugle's stirring blast, The charge, the dreadful cannonade, The din and shout are past; Nor war's wild note nor glory's peal Shall thrill with fierce delight Those breasts that never more may feel The rapture of the fight.

Like the fierce northern hurricane That sweeps his great plateau, Flushed with the triumph yet to gain, Came down the serried foe. Who heard the thunder of the fray Break o'er the field beneath, Knew well the watchword of that day Was "Victory or death."

Long had the doubtful conflict raged O'er all that stricken plain, For never fiercer fight had waged The vengeful blood of Spain; And still the storm of battle blew, Still swelled the gory tide; Not long, our stout old chieftain knew, Such odds his strength could bide.

'T was in that hour his stern command Called to a martyr's grave The flower of his beloved land, The nation's flag to save. By rivers of their father's gore His first-born laurels grew, And well he deemed the sons would pour Their lives for glory too.

Full many a norther's breath has swept O'er Angostura's plain And long the pitying sky has wept Above the mouldering slain. The raven's scream, or eagle's flight, Or shepherd's pensive lay, Alone awakes each sullen height That frowned o'er that dread fray.

Sons of the Dark and Bloody Ground, Ye must not slumber there, Where stranger steps and tongues resound Along the heedless air; Your own proud land's heroic soil Shall be your fitter grave;

She claims from war his richest spoil The ashes of her brave. So, 'neath their parent turf they rest, Far from the gory field, Borne to a Spartan mother's breast, On many a bloody shield; The sunshine of their native sky Smiles sadly on them here, And kindred eyes and hearts watch by The heroes' sepulchre.